Emotion regulation difficulties are associated with loss-of-control eating dependent on degree of narcissistic traits in college students

Abstract

Loss-of-control eating (LOCE) is highly prevalent in college students and may be driven by enduring personality traits. Narcissism is often conceptualized with two broad domains: grandiose and vulnerable. The association between narcissism and LOCE has not been directly assessed, nor the potential influence of emotion regulation deficits, which are differentially associated with grandiosity and vulnerability. This study hypothesized an association between vulnerable narcissism and LOCE in college students by way of emotion regulation difficulties, extending prior findings. Participants (n = 704) completed a survey on pathological eating and body image disturbance, emotion regulation difficulties, and narcissistic traits. Results supported a full mediation effect, such that vulnerable narcissism was positively associated with LOCE by way of emotion regulation difficulties. Present findings suggest the mechanism primarily predictive of LOCE is emotion regulation difficulties, and predisposition to deficits in emotion regulation associated with vulnerable narcissism may increase the odds of LOCE. Additionally, it was noted that grandiose narcissism evinced a fully mediated inverse association with LOCE. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.